Compassion Fatigue in Nursing

I have come across this article on Medscape Nurses Viewpoint. It is really worth a read and can be found at.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/732211?src=mp&spon=24&uac=130724MJ

Some interesting facts have come out of the survey carried out by Marily W Edmunds.

Nurses working 8 hour shifts are more likely to suffer compassion fatigue than those who work 12 hours shifts.

Intensive care nurses had higher satisfaction than emergency nurses

Nurses with the least experience reported higher rates of compassion satisfaction than more experienced nurses.

Nurses who had higher compassion satisfaction scores were more interpersonally "fullfilled" which is defined as being happy, being me, being connected to to others. They were happy in what they were doing, didnt feel trapped, were less likely to be bogged down or feel exhausted.

So what is the message here?

Nurses can suffer compassion fatigue which affects their coping mechanisms. They are the people who are more likely to ignor bells ringing, take days off sick, leave the organisation, reduce shifts etc.

So what is the message here?

Working as a nurse can desensitise some people. Nurses don't appear to be good at looking after themselves or their co-workers. Compassion fatigue is closely related to burn out. Compassionate nurses are a dwindling resource.

However I guess there is once bright star on the horizon. Psychiatrists have higher rates of suicide, sever depression and general compassion fatigue.

If we don't take care of ourselves how can we take care of others? This is what is lacking and why it is so important to bring the care back into caregiving.